Court of Appeal upholds Sen. Akpabio's election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja this morning upheld the election of Godswill Akpabio as the senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in the Senate. The former Akwa Ibom state governor shared the news on his Twitter handle contrary to earlier reports that his election was nullified.

Gov. Fashola, Amaechi, Akpabio, Kwankwaso Under Probe by ICPC

 The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has set up a task force to probe eight former governors in the country over alleged mismanagement of public funds.

 “It is true that we are going after eight former governors. The investigation against four of the former governors of Rivers, Katsina, Kano and Enugu has commenced.

 “However, the commission has listed four other former governors who are on the waiting list because of petitions against them. They are the immediate past governors of Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Jigawa States.

 “A Special Task Force was set up by the Chairman of the commission to coordinate the investigation in the states. So we are reopening the petitions through the Chairman of the Special Task Force.”

 A top operative of the commission, who confided in Punch, said that the task force was set up following petitions written against the former governors.

Ex Akwa Ibom gov, Akpabio announced as Senate Minority Leader

Immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio has been announced as the Senate Minority leader. His nomination is against the rules of the senate that exempts first time senators from becoming Senate Minority leaders. He was nominated by the South South Senators in the Senate. Senator Emmanuel Bwacha was named Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda becomes Minority Whip and Senator Bioudun Olujimi is Deputy Minority Whip.

Court Refuses To Stop Appointment Of Senate Minority Leader

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused to grant an interim order stopping the appointment or selection of the Minority Leader of the Senate, a decision which may clear the way for a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio‎, to step into the position.

The plaintiffs – Alaye Pedro and Dr. Okechukwu Ibeh – had in their ex parte application for the interim order indicated that Akpabio had been tipped for the position in breach of the Senate Standing Order which prohibits appointment of a first term senator like the former governor into any principal office of the Senate.

But Justice Gabriel Kolawole, after hearing the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. B. J Akomolafe on Tuesday, dismissed majority of their prayers contained in the ex parte application, holding in his ruling on Wednesday that the plaintiffs not being members of the Senate, lacked the locus standi file the suit and be granted such application.